Understanding STI vs STD (Sexually Transmitted Infection vs Sexually Transmitted Disease)
STI stands for “Sexually Transmitted Infection” and STD stands for “Sexually Transmitted Disease”. These two terms sound similar and the difference between them can be confusing. One of the reasons for this is that up to a certain point these two terms were synonymous and were used interchangeably. But now there is a technical difference between these terms which has been acknowledged by the medical community and can no longer be used synonymously.
The difference lies in the meaning of the words being used. Although, both STD’s and STI’s are transmitted sexually or via sexual acts, the term “disease” and “infection” set them apart. Looking up at the meanings of these individual words, you come to the realization that they carry different connotative and denotative meanings.
Infection means being infected, contaminated i.e. the invasion of the body by bacteria, viruses or parasites. While diseases spread by infection but there is an implication that the infection has caused some disorder of structure or function in the body which may result in serious health complications.
In the case of STI’s, the virus/bacteria have come in contact with the person’s body, multiplied and then spread in the body. This may or may not result in any symptoms or have any immediate health risks. Regardless, the person carrying the infection is a “carrier” of the disease. That is why it is strongly advised to get tested even if there is no manifestation of symptoms in the body. Otherwise, the carrier can become a source of spreading STI’s or STD’s to other sexual partners. According to stats, up to 70% of women don’t experience symptoms when infected with chlamydia but they may still affect other potential partners. So, it’s best to get tested even if you’re asymptomatic.
An STI is classified as an STD when the infection caused by bacteria or virus leads to not only the manifestation of symptoms in the body but symptoms which result in altering the normal function of the body such that it causes complicated health risks. This implies that all STD’s start out as STI’s.
We can take an example of HPV (human papillomavirus) to clarify the difference between the two. An individual who has contracted HPV carries the virus, even if they do not show any symptoms. This is a typical case of the individual having an STI. But if this individual develops cervical cancer from HPV, now this is a case of an STI which has progressed to an STD. Gonorrhoea or Chlamydia infections which have progressed into pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) are also examples of infections which have transformed into STD’s.
Another reason for the change in the terminology is because there is a lower stigma attached to “Sexually Transmitted Infections” rather than “Sexually Transmitted Diseases”. A study was conducted regarding both terms and it was found that although people understood that both STI’s and STD’s had the same risks and mode of transmission, there was a significant difference in the stigma attached to the two.
STI’s caused by bacterial infections can be easily cured using antibiotics and STI’s caused by viral infections can be managed using antiviral treatments but are difficult to permanently eradicate.
For Private Confidential STI / STD Testing, contact Test Smartly Labs…
Information On This Topic
Understanding STI vs STD
STI stands for “Sexually Transmitted Infection” and STD stands for “Sexually Transmitted Disease”. These two terms sound similar and the difference between them can be confusing. One of the reasons for this is that up to a certain point these two terms were synonymous and were used interchangeably. But now there is a technical difference between these terms which has been acknowledged by the medical community and can no longer be used synonymously.
Privacy Matters for STI/STD Testing at Test Smartly Labs
While all health-related matters deserve the utmost privacy and confidentiality, some types of blood tests and lab work need even more. When it comes to STI or STD testing, you do not want to have any small chance of anyone you know finding out about your risks or diagnoses. Of course, if you go to your doctor’s office or even a public clinic, the HIPAA rules require everyone involved to keep your information private and secure. However, you may still have some doubts troubling your mind.
The Silent Epidemic
STD/STI statistics and need-to-know information to live a healthy life
It is one of the most difficult and uncomfortable topics for most people to discuss – and it is literally ruining millions of lives every day.
Why STD Screening Matters - STD Statistics:
- According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 20 million new STDs occur every year in the United States - half of which are among people aged 15-24 - despite this, only about 12% of young people were tested in recent years
- The CDC estimates that undiagnosed STIs cause 24,000 women to become infertile each year
- Data from 2013-2014 showed that about 42% of men and 40% of women aged 18-59 had genital HPV at that time
- About 1 in 8 people aged 14-49 in the United States has genital herpes
- From 2016-2017 the CDC reported an increase in gonorrhea cases of 75.2% since the historic low of 2009.
- In 2015, approximately 1.5 million cases of chlamydia were reported - the highest number of annual cases of any condition ever reported to the CDC
- In the US there were 39,782 new HIV diagnoses in 2016 and of the estimated 1.1 million people in the US living with HIV, about 15% don’t know they’re infected - so get tested today
Most STDs Are Curable - Get STD Testing So You Can Get Better
A lot of young people are negatively impacted by STD stigma that paints STDs as “dirty,” life-altering afflictions which can lead people to fear to test as they think their life will be different forever if they learn they do in fact have a sexually transmitted disease.
This is not remotely true. Most STDs can in fact be cured with a round of antibiotics and others can be managed with medications. Because of how easily cured most of the STDs are, many organizations have taken to referring to them as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) rather than STDs, since the word “disease” does not accurately represent what these infections are. STD and STI tend to be used interchangeably; we continue to refer to them as STDs for consistency’s sake.
STD/STI Statistics and Need-To-Know Information to Live a Healthy Life
It is one of the most difficult and uncomfortable topics for most people to discuss – and it is literally ruining millions of lives every day.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 110 million Americans are living with sexually transmitted diseases and infections. For the fifth straight year, STD/STIs have hit a record high – meaning that today, at this very moment, there has never been a higher risk of you or someone you love contracting a sexually transmitted disease or infection. Yet, unlike several other epidemics or outbreaks such as opioids or coronavirus, most Americans have no idea of the tremendous impact that sexually transmitted diseases and infections are having on our health, our medical systems, and our average lifespan. Understanding the epidemic, the individuals at risk, and the ways to protect yourself and your loved ones are critical in combating this silent killer.
Read more below...
Be prepared for your lab test!
- Make sure you have been Fasting for at least 10-12 hours for many blood tests
- Make sure you are Hydrated for blood draw
- Complete TSL Intake Form & HIPAA Disclosure
- Pay for your lab test upfront (We don't process insurance claims but can provide you with information to submit your own insurance claim)
- If you are having specialized testing, call ahead to help us determine if there are special collection preparations.
- If you are interested in one of our health panels, please feel free to look at our web listing to help identify which one you want performed.
- Please try to arrive 30 minutes prior to business closing to allow us time to process your samples for shipment.
What Are Your Hours?
- All Test Smartly Labs are open Monday through Friday, from 9am - 5pm
- The Overland Park Testing Center is also open from 9am – 1pm on Saturdays
Do We Need To Have An Appointment?
- No appointment is required to come into our labs, and all of our locations are on a walk-in basis. However, it is recommended you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to closing. If your situation requires special time considerations, please call us to determine if it would be better to arrange an appointment time.
Do I Need Doctors’ Orders For Testing?
- No doctors’ orders needed, we are a Direct-Access Testing Center. You are encouraged to consult your medical professional with your lab test results.
What’s The Turnaround Time For Lab Work?
- Average turnaround time is 2-5 business days depending on the complexity of the lab work. Most tests are available in 2-3 days.
Do You Need A List Of My Medications For A Drug Test?
- Per protocol, the lab techs are not allowed to receive or ask for your medications. A medical review officer or MRO, a licensed physician who specializes in toxicology, will call you and ask for your medications and your physician’s phone number if it’s detected in your sample during testing. The MRO will then call your physician to verify your medications.